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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
PhD Project Template
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Use one form per project
Please complete & submit to international@nuigalway.ie as soon as possible, and by 27/11/2012
In your email, begin the subject line with [SWB] (be sure to use square brackets) to ensure that
your email is filed correctly. Emails will be automatically filed
PI name & contact details:
School:
Dr Aoife Boyd
Aoife.Boyd@nuigalway.ie
Natural Sciences
Has project been agreed with head (or
nominee) of proposed registration school?
Yes
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Microbiology
Research group / centre website:
www.nuigalway.ie/microbiology
PI website / link to CV:
www.nuigalway.ie/microbiology/ab.html
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Dr Boyd leads the Pathogenic Mechanisms group which characterises the molecular mechanisms
deployed by bacteria in order to colonise, survive and multiply during infection.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Title: Type III Secretion Systems of Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Description: Type III Secretion Systems (T3SS) are molecular needles that inject bacterial effector
proteins inside host cells. T3SS are essential for the pathogenesis of V. parahaemolyticus, a
bacterium that causes gastroenteritis. In Brazil, infection with V. parahaemolyticus can occur as a
result of eating contaminated shrimp and oysters and could negatively affect the country’s seafood
farming industry. The PhD researcher will investigate the mechanisms by which the V.
parahaemolyticus T3SS effectors alter human cell behaviour via interference with host cell signalling
pathways. This new knowledge will lead to increased understanding of host-pathogen interactions
and the future development of novel anti-microbials to treat gastrointestinal diseases.
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
The PhD student will interact with scientists researching a range of pathogenic bacteria within the
Infectious Disease Research Cluster at NUI, Galway.
Through investigating host-pathogen interactions, the PhD student will gain experience in
microbiology, cell biology, molecular biology and infectious disease research.
Version 2
Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Biology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences)
Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences
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Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Sustainable Agricultural Production
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals, Minerals Technology
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters
Bioprospecting and Biodiversity
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders
arrangements):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): _ ____
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): _____
Suitable for either/Don’t know: __Y___